Chapter 8 Hades
Hades
“You’re really gonna go through with this?”
Leaning against the wall, I nod at K.C., the leader of the Prison Kings. Levins, along with two other guards who I’ve got in my pocket, are stationed at each entrance to the room to ensure we have privacy.
“We’re set for two weeks from tomorrow,” I tell him. “Are things set on your end?”
K.C. glares at me. “You handle your end, and I’ll handle mine.”
I want to reach out and snap his neck for his lack of respect, but killing him won’t serve any purpose, and it certainly won’t further the plans I’ve been working on for months.
“Have you decided who will join you?” I ask, reigning in my temper.
“I’ve narrowed it down to two of my crew,” he replies. “I’ll make a final decision the night before.”
“Yo, time’s up,” Levins says from down the other side of the room.
K.C. and I fist bump before we’re both placed in restraints and escorted back to our cells. Before Levins closes the door, locking me inside, he looks at me with an unreadable expression.
“Spit it out,” I snap.
“You trust K.C.?”
I snort. “About as much as I’d trust a pedo around kids.”
“You’ve got contingencies in place?”
“I do.”
“Good.”
“And what about you?” I ask. “What are you gonna do afterward?”
Once our plan is executed, Levins won’t be able to return to work. It’ll come out that he’s one of the inside men, and his career in law enforcement or within the prison system will be over. And that’s if the plan works. If it doesn’t, Levins will be in a cell just like the rest of us.
“I don’t know, but I’ll figure something out.”
“If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
“I will. Thanks.”
“Now, get outta here,” I tell him with a grin. “I’ve got shit to do.”
Levins throws his head back and laughs. “Right.”
Once I’m alone, I move to the corner and slide out the cinder block, revealing my hidey hole.
I grab the notebook and pen I’ve got stashed and sit on the bed.
Everything is falling into place as it should, but I’m not a fucking idiot.
If I’ve learned anything over the years, it’s the importance of having a backup plan… or three.
I’ve started the letter I need to send numerous times, and I finally feel like I have it right. I skim over what I have written.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Craig Hunter, and I’m currently sitting on death row at SCI Somerset for a triple homicide that I DID NOT commit.
The individuals who committed this crime did so during the commission of a bank robbery.
I had just left the bank, having withdrawn a large sum of money, and was still in the parking lot when I heard gunshots.
The guilty men ran outside, right past me, and I raced back inside to check on the bank employees.
I found the bank teller, manager, and the teller’s young daughter dead.
I called 911 and remained at the scene. There was little to no investigation of the crime as the police saw my cut (I’m the president of a 1% motorcycle club) and made up their minds that I was guilty.
The murder weapon was found a few days later, but from what I was told, no testing was done as far as fingerprints and DNA…
only ballistics testing was completed to verify that it was the murder weapon.
I did not receive a fair trial, and the victims of this crime have not received justice as their killers are still out there somewhere.
I’ve received my execution date, and it is fast approaching. I respectfully request that you review my case and determine whether there is anything you can do to assist me in obtaining a new trial or having my conviction overturned.
Enclosed is everything I’ve obtained pertaining to the case and trial.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you,
Craig ‘Hades’ Hunter
I seal the letter, along with the rest of the documents, into a large manila envelope. I’m not holding out hope that submitting this request will do a damn thing, but if I end up riding the lightning, I want it on record that I tried everything possible to clear my name.